Chicago-based Conagra Brands Inc. will shut down its Milwaukee facility at 7620 N. 81st St. and lay off 190 employees who work there, according to a WARN notice filed by the company with the state. The layoffs include 172 production and production support staff as well as 18 management and administrative staff. Conagra expects to close
Chicago-based Conagra Brands Inc. will shut down its Milwaukee facility at 7620 N. 81st St. and lay off 190 employees who work there, according to a WARN notice filed by the company with the state.
The layoffs include 172 production and production support staff as well as 18 management and administrative staff. Conagra expects to close the plant and lay off all workers by April 2.
None of the employees are represented by a union nor do they have bumping rights.
The company expects the measure to "improve efficiencies and effectiveness within its supply chain network," according to the notice.
Conagra acquired the 55,000 square-foot facility in 2018 after purchasing Sandwich Bros. of Wisconsin from its parent company Kangaroo Brands, for $87 million.
In 2012, Kangaroo created the Sandwich Bros. line, frozen breakfast and entrée flatbread sandwiches, which are distributed to grocery stores, club, convenience and mass merchandisers nationally. The company was founded in 1979 John and George Kashou.
Conagra previously bought the Kangaroo brand trademark and the pita chip division in 2012. The deal included the company’s pita chip plant at 8222 N. Granville Woods Road on Milwaukee’s northwest side.
Conagra's other products include Marie Callender’s, Reddi-wip, Hunt’s, Healthy Choice and Slim Jim.
Conagra did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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